Franklin County, News, RSS Facebook, RSS General, RSS Twitter, Russellville
 By  Matt Wilson Published 
10:40 am Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Former RHS student wins Mrs. Alabama America

Madeleine Gwin, smiles and gives a thumbs up as she is crowned Mrs. Alabama America on March 28.

Madeleine Gwin, smiles and gives a thumbs up as she is crowned Mrs. Alabama America on March 28.

A former Russellville High School student has been named Mrs. Alabama America, just four years after being crowned Miss Alabama USA.

Madeleine Mitchell Gwin won the Mrs. Alabama America competition March 28 at the Indian Springs Theatre in Birmingham, Ala.

“I really wanted to do this ever since I won the Miss Alabama competition in 2011,” Gwin said. “I wanted to win both competitions and represent the state.”

She said the Mrs. Alabama America competition was similar to the Miss Alabama USA that she won in 2011.

“I will be doing some of the same things I did after I was crowned Miss Alabama such as touring around to different schools and coming to local events and talking to students and telling my story,” she said. “Only this time I am Mrs. Alabama—married and a mother and a lot of adventures under my belt.”

Gwin got married to her husband Ryan in July of 2013. Shortly before the adventure of marriage began for her and her husband the two got to participate in a different kind of adventure.

In February of 2013, as the couple were engaged to be married, they competed on the television show, “Get Out Alive,” with the popular outdoorsman and host, Bear Grylls.

“We spent over a month in New Zealand out in the woods, out in nature, just roughing it,” she said. “I spent over a month without a shower, not brushing my teeth, eating bugs—it was crazy. But I definitely couldn’t have done it without my husband.”

Gwin said she and her husband initially auditioned for the show in Atlanta.

“We went down there and auditioned in front of some people from the show,” she said. “Then we got called back for a second audition in front of the producers and that was out in Los Angeles. They flew us out there and then they liked us I guess and they flew us back out there before we headed down to New Zealand for the show.

“At first I thought it would be a piece of cake because we got there and spent two days in the hotel. I thought we might just go out and film our adventures and then come back to the hotel, but it ended up being one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done.”

Madeleine Mitchell Gwin is a Russellville High School graduate and a graduate of the University of Alabama. She will be representing the state as Mrs. Alabama America.

Also on Franklin County Times
Hill addresses challenges before congressional panel
Main, News, Russellville, ...
SMALL WATER SYSTEM
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Eric Hill, general manager of the Russellville Water and Sewer Board, traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to speak before Congress ...
Phil Campbell adopts buildings ordinance
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 4, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Town councilmembers have approved a buildings ordinance which establishes requirements for inspections, notices, hearings and enforcem...
Bendall takes regional role at UNA
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
March 4, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Dr. Natalie Bendall has accepted a regional in-service center director’s role at the University of North Alabama. In her new position a...
Tax season brings relief for workers
Columnists, Opinion
March 4, 2026
Americans across the country are preparing for tax season as W-2s make their way to everyone’s mailboxes. People often compare filling out their tax f...
GFWC clubs support parks system
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
March 4, 2026
When our GFWC Book Lovers Study Club met recently, we focused on something that belongs to all Americans -- the National Park Service. Patricia Cox, c...
Bishop, McCulloch lead RHS softball to 4-1 start
High School Sports, Russellville Golden Tigers, Sports
Brannon King For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Russellville varsity softball team successfully opened the 2026 season with a 4-0 start before falling in the fifth game of the week. The Lady Gol...
Belgreen wins 4 of 5
Belgreen Bulldogs, High School Sports, Sports
Bart Moss For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Belgreen Bulldogs are off to a hot start under new veteran coach Jonathan Raper. After dropping their opener to Dora, the Bulldogs won four straig...
RHS loses 4 in Showdown
High School Sports, News, Russellville Golden Tigers, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
March 4, 2026
The Russellville High baseball team defeated the Hatton Hornets in the home opener, then lost four games in the PB South Alabama Showdown. RHS hosted ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *